WPCNR PUMP BOYS NEWS. From Westchester County Department of Communications. April 12, 2006: The latest survey of 359 gas stations by the county Department of Consumer Protection found that prices are up on average 20 cents since a month ago. The average cost for regular gas, according to the survey completed Tuesday, was $2.897 a gallon. Today the WPCNR Mobile Unit filled up at our favorite filling station and paid $2.91.9 per gallon. Prices are up about 42 cents in three months.
“Gas prices in Westchester are at their highest level ever, apart from the weeks last year after Hurricane Katrina, when they averaged $3.44 a gallon, “ County Executive Andy Spano said. “This 20-cent jump from March is also among the highest monthly increases we have ever seen. People are paying on average 51 cents more per gallon than a year ago.”
Spano noted that consumers still can benefit from shopping around. The cheapest gas in the county was found at a station in Mount Vernon ($2.719), followed by stations in Pelham Manor and Mamaroneck. The most expensive gas station is in Scarsdale ($3.09). The survey can be found at www.westchestergov.com/consumer. The website has some new additions. A visitor may now get a listing of all gas stations within a certain distance. Also, they can get maps showing where the stations are.
People without the Internet may call 995-8710 for gas prices.
As always, the county consumer department will be vigilant to make sure there is not price gouging. But for now, according to Elaine Price, director of consumer protection, there is no indication of that. “The stations are getting hit with increases at the wholesale level,” she said.
